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A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. — Lao Tsu
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As much as C.AS.H. was hoping that counties would deny the DEC push to lower the deer hunting age to twelve and allow 12-year-olds to kill deer with crossbows, you can see that almost all of the counties eligible to opt in did so. Only two said “NO”.
We congratulate both Rockland and Erie Counties! Rockland simply ignored the opt- in offer by not bringing it up for a vote. The Erie County Legislature had actually voted it in by a narrow margin, but thanks to a group of citizens who boldly spoke out against opting-in, and thanks to the legislators who voted against opting in, the County Executive, Mark C. Poloncarz vetoed opting-in. The legislators who voted against opting in, although in the minority in the legislature, were enough to deny a supermajority from overruling the County Executive’s decision. The best news is that all of the dissenting legislators won reelection!!!
[/vc_column_text][space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”23033″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]See this excellent letter published in the Buffalo News:
The proposed law for Erie County to allow 12 and 13-year-old kids to hunt deer with firearms and crossbows is more than an animal rights issue – it’s also a safety issue. Hunting-related shooting incidents in New York increased nearly double last season from the previous year. Shooting incidents involved not only longtime experienced hunters but young people who are currently permitted to shoot small game. The reason for more incidents can be attributed to more hunters in the field due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although the Department of Environmental Conservation maintains the rate of incidents is decreasing, the fact remains: More hunters in the woods results in more shooting and crossbow tragedies.
The sheriff of Lewis County, an avid gun rights advocate put it succinctly: “I don’t think they’re ready for it. I don’t think they’re ready emotionally, and I don’t think they’re ready physically. Some of them aren’t going to be strong enough to hold that firearm.” Although Lewis County elected to opt-in, this is Erie County’s opportunity to show New York State that we value the safety and protection of our young people by voting no to this proposal.
Gloria Jenkins, Amherst[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]